Tape dispenser



April 3, 3 q. M. KAT; 3,086,309

' TAPE DISPENSER Filed Aug. 2, 1962 INVENTOR.

JOSEP M. KATZ his ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,086,309 TAPE DlSlENSERJoseph M. Katz, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Le Pages, Inc, Pittsburgh,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 2, 1962, her. No. 214,3328 Claims. (Cl. 40-309) The present invention relates to dispensers forpressure sensitive and the like tapes, and more particularly to adispenser of the type described which is constructed so as to readilyattract the eye of a shopper in a retail outlet where the tape isdisplayed.

As is known, in retailing any product it is of primary importance topackage or display that product in order that it will have what iscalled eye appeal," meaning that the packaging must be such that theproduct will stand out among others on a store counter or display rack.In the case of a dispenser for tape, it must not only have eye appeal,but must also be functionally adequate and at the same time be simpleand economical in construction. As an overall object, therefore, thepresent invention seeks to provide a tape dispenser which combines allof the desirable features outlined above. More specifically, an objectof the invention is to provide a tape dispenser formed from atransparent plastic or the like material and incorporating an opaquebacking plate which not only forms a side for the dispenser but alsoprovides a surface on which advertising material may be printed, theprinting being on the side of the opaque plate facing a roll of tape inthe dispenser whereby both the tape and the printed material may beviewed through the transparent dispenser simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transparent tapedispenser of the type described above incorporating an opaque backingplate having an extension projecting above the dispenser for thepresentation of advertising material which can be readily seen when aplurality of dispensers are displayed at a retail outlet, the extensionbeing joined to the main body of the backing plate along a perforatedline such that it may be torn from the dispenser when it is used by apurchaser. 7

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means forpresenting advertising material in the cavity formed by the cylindricalhub of a tape dispenser, the hub being that on which a roll of taperotates. v

The above and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective, exploded view of the tape dispenser of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational or plan view of the assembled dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-IlI of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which a plurality ofthe tape dispensers of the present invention may be displayed. a a

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thedispenser shown includes a transparent plastic molding comprising asidewall 10 having a centrally disposed circular opening 12 therein.Projecting from the edge of the opening 12 and integrally formed withthe sidewall 10 is a cylindrical hub element 14 which receives a roll 16of pressure sensitive tape or the like. As best shown in FIG. 3, thetape 16 is wound upon a circular cardboard core 18 which rides on theouter peripheral surface of the hub 14.

Projecting outwardly from the edges of the transparent sidewall 10 areedge walls 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28. These 3,086,309 Patented Apr. 23, 1963ice edge walls, like the cylindrical hub element 14, are integrallyformed with the sidewall 10 and have widths substantially equal to thewidth of the hub element 14. As best shown in FIG. 2, a space isprovided between the edge walls 20 and 28 to permit the tape, as it isunwound from roll 16, to pass therethrough. In the use of the dispenser,the end of the tape is pulled through the space between edge walls 20and 28 for a desired length and then pulled downwardly into engagementwith a surface 36 (FIG. 1) on the edge wall 28, this surface having aplurality of serrations 32 on its outer edge. Thereafter, the length oftape which has been pulled from the roll 16 may be severed from theremainder of'the roll by simply tearing it along the serrations 32.

It will be noted that the plastic molding just described is providedwith only one transparent sidewall 10, the other side being open. Thispermits easy insertion of the roll 16 over the cylindrical hub 14 duringassembly of the dispenser. The other side of the dispenser is formed bythe lower portion 34 of a cardboard or the like backing plate 36. Asshown, the cardboard backing plate 36 comprises the lower portion 34 andan upper portion 38 which is detachably secured to the lower portionalong a perforated line 40, the arrangement being such that the portion38 may be torn from the lower portion 34. Also provided in the backingplate 36 is a circular perforation 42 which is adapted to be alignedwith the cylindrical hub element 14. The assembly is completed by acylindrical element 44 having a radially-extending flange 46 on itsouter edge. The element 44 is adapted to be press-fitted into theinterior of the cylindrical hub element 14 as will hereinafter beexplained.

In the assembly of the dispenser, the roll of tape 16 is initiallypassed over the hub element 14. Thereafter, the backing plate 36 isplaced in abutting relationship with the side of the dispenser oppositethe transparent sidewall It). In this position, the lower portion 34abuts against the ends of the edge walls 20-48 and also against theedges of projections 48 which extend inwardly from the edges of theaforesaid plastic molding.

When the backing plate 36 is thus positioned against the ends of theedge walls 20-23 and the perforation 42 aligned with the hub element 14,the cylindrical element 44 is pushed or pressed against the circularperforation 42, thereby pushing it out of the backingplate 36 while theelement 44 is press-fitted into the hub element 14. In this process, theperforation 42, as best shown in FIG. 3, is pressed against an annularflange or stop member 50. The dispenser is nowassembled as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, advertising material 52is printed or otherwise formed on the side of the upper portion 38 ofbacking plate 36 such that it faces the tape 16. Similarly, advertisingmaterial 54 is provided on the lower portion 34 of the backing plate 36such that it may be viewed through the transparent sidewall 10. Finally,advertising 56 is printed on the bulls-eye or circular perforation 42which is disposed within the cylindrical hub element 14. Thus, apurchaser in picking up the product will see the roll of tape 16 as wellas the advertising 54 on thelower portion 34 of the backing plate 36. Atthe same time, he will see the advertising 52 on the upper portion 38.The upper portion is particularly effective in displaying the dispensersin the manner shown in FIG. 4 wherein the dispensers may be aligned onebehind the other with the advertising 52 on the upper portion 38 forminga successive billboard effect which quickly attracts the eye of apurchaser. At the same time, the bulls-eye 42, having printing thereon,also has an attractive effect.

When the dispenser is purchased, the upper portion 38 of the backingplate 36 might interfere with its use. Accordingly, the purchaser cansimply remove the upper portion 38 by tearing along the perforated line40; whereupon the lower portion 34 forms a sidewall identical in shapeto the transparent sidewall 10.

The present invention thus provides a tape dispenser which is not onlysimple and economical in construction but also provides a high degree ofeye appeal. Although the invention has been shown in connection with acertain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of partsmay be made to suit requirernentswithout departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges ofsaid sidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projectionof said cylindrical hub element, said hub element being adapted toreceive said roll of tape, an opening in one of said edge walls topermit the tape to pass therethrough, an opaque backing plate positionedin parallel relationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends ofsaid edge walls opposite said transparent sidewall, a circular openingin the backing plate in alignment with said hub element, a cylindricalelement having a flange on one edge thereof, the last-mentionedcylindrical element being passed through the circular opening in thebacking plate and press-fitted into said cylindrical hub element withthe flange holdin the backing plate in snug abutting relationshipagainst said ends of the edge walls, and printed material on the backingplate facing said roll of tape whereby both the printed material and theroll of tape may be seen through said transparent sidewall.

2. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges of thesidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projection ofsaid cylindrical hub element, said hub element being adapted to receivesaid roll of tape, an opening in one of said edge walls to permit thetape to pass therethrough, an opaque backing plate positioned inparallel relationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends of saidedge walls opposite said transparent sidewall, a circular opening in thebacking plate in alignment with said hub element, a cylindrical elementhaving a flange on one edge thereof, the last-mentioned cylindricalelement being passed through the circular opening in the backing plateand press-fitted into said cylindrical hub element with the flangeholding the backing plate in snug abutting relationship against saidends of the edge walls, the backing plate having a first portion shapedto conform to the outline of said transparent sidewall and a secondportion extending above said first portion and secured thereto along aperforated line whereby the second portion may be torn from the firstportion when the dispenser is used, and printed material facing saidroll on both the first and second portions of the backing plate wherebyboth the printed material on said first portion and the roll of tape maybe seen through the transparent sidewall while the printed material onsaid second portion will project upwardly from the holder to be easilyseen when the holders are displayed one behind the other.

3. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges ofsaid sidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projectionof said hub element, said hub element being adapted to receive said rollof tape, an opening in one of said edge walls to permit the tape to passtherethrough, an opaque backing plate positioned in parallelrelationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends of said edge wallsopposite said transparent sidewall, a circular perforation in thebacking plate in alignment with said hub element, a stop member on theinner periphery of said cylindrical hub element, a cylindrical elementhaving a flange on one edge thereof, the other edge of thelast-mentioned cylindrical element being pressed against said circularperforation and press-fitted into said cylindrical hub element to knockthe perforation out of the backing plate and form a circular openingtherein, the circular perforation being forced into the cylindrical hubelement and fitted against said stop member, the flange on saidlast-mentioned cylindrical element holding the backing plate in snugabutting relationship against said ends of the edge walls, and printedmaterial on the backing plate and said circular perforation facing saidtransparent sidewall whereby the printed material on said backing plateand the roll of tape may be seen through said transparent sidewall whilethe printed material on said circular perforation may also be viewedsimultaneously.

4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the stop member on the innerperiphery of said cylindrical hub element comprises an annularradially-inwardly extending flange spaced from the edge of thecylindrical hub element opposite said transparent sidewall by an amountsubstantially equal to the axial length of said latter-mentionedcylindrical element.

5. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges ofsaid sidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projectionof said hub element, said hub element being adapted to receive said rollof tape, an opening in one of said edge walls to permit the tape to passtherethrough, an opaque backing plate positioned in parallelrelationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends of said edge wallsopposite said transparent sidewall, a circular perforation in thebacking plate in alignment with said hub element, a stop member on theinner periphery of said cylindrical hub element, a cylindrical elementhaving a flange on one edge thereof, the other edge of the annularelement being pressed against said circular perforation and press-fittedinto said cylindrical hub element to knock the perforation out of thebacking plate and form a circular opening therein, the circularperforation being forced into the cylindrical hub element and fittedagainst said stop member, the flange on said latter-mentionedcylindrical element holding the backing plate in snug abuttingrelationship against said ends of the edge walls, the backing platehaving a first portion shaped to conform to the outline of saidtransparent sidewall and a second portion extending above said firstportion and secured thereto along a perforated line whereby the secondportion may be torn from the first portion when the dispenser is used,and printed material on the first and second portions of the backingplate as well as said circular perforation, the printing being on theside of the blacking plate facing said roll whereby the printed materialon said first portion and the roll of tape may be seen through thetransparent sidewall while the printed material on said second portionwill project upwardly from the holder to be easily seen when a pluralityof such holders are displayed one behind the other, the printing on saidcircular perforation also being seen from the side of the holder fromwhich the printing on the backing plate may be seen.

6. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges ofsaid sidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projectionof said hub element, said hub element being arranged to receive saidroll of tape, an opening in one of said edge walls to permit the tape topass therethrough, an opaque backing plate positioned in parallelrelationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends of said edge wallsopposite said transparent sidewall, a circular opening in the backingplate in alignment with said hub element, a cylindrical element having aflange on one edge thereof, the latter-mentioned cylindrical elementbeing passed through the circular opening in the backing plate andpress-fitted into said cylindrical hub element with the flange holdingthe backing plate in snug abutting relationship against said ends of theendge walls, the backing plate having a first portion abutting the edgesof said edge walls opposite said transparent sidewall and a secondportion extending above said first portion and secured thereto along aperforated line whereby the second portion may be torn from the firstportion when the dispenser is used, and printed material on both thefirst and second portions of the backing plate facing said roll wherebyboth the printed material on said first portion and the roll of tape maybe seen through the transparent sidewall while the printed material onsaid second portion will project upwardly from the holder to be easilyseen when the holders are displayed one behind the other.

7. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hu-b elementprojecting from the edge of said opening and integrally formed with saidsidewall, integral edge walls projecting outwardly from the edges ofsaid sidewall at right angles thereto and in the direction of projectionof said hub element, said hub element being arranged to receive saidroll of tape, an opening in one of said edge walls to permit the tape topass therethrough, an opaque backing plate positioned in parallelrelationship to said transparent sidewall at the ends of said edge wallsopposite said transparent sidewall, a circular perforation in thebacking plate in alignment with said hub element, a stop member on theinner periphery of said cylindrical hub element, a cylindrical elementhaving a flange on one edge thereof, the other edge of thelatter-mentioned cylindrical element being pressed against said circularperforation and pressed-fitted into said cylindrical hub element toknock the perforation out of the backing plate and form a circularopening therein, the circular perforation being forced into thecylindrical hub element and fitted against said stop member, the flangeholding the backing plate in snug abutting relationship against saidends of the edge walls opposite said transparent plate, and printedmaterial on the circular perforation which may be viewed from the sideof the holder opposite said backing plate.

8. A dispenser for a roll of tape or the like comprising a transparentsidewall having a circular opening therein, a cylindrical hub elementprojecting from the edge of said opening, edge walls projectingoutwardly from the edges of said sidewall at right angles thereto and inthe direction of projection of said cylindrical hub element, said hubelement being adapted to receive said roll of tape, an opening in one ofsaid edge walls to permit the tape to pass therethrough, an opaquebacking plate positioned in parallel relationship to said transparentsidewall at the ends of said edge walls opposite said transparentsidewall, means for securing said opaque backing plate in snug abuttingrelationship against said ends of the edge walls, and printed materialon the backing plate facing said roll of tape whereby both the printedmaterial and the roll of tape may be seen throughsaid transparentsidewall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,026,778 Toles May21, 1912 1,484,234 Prentiss Feb. 19, 1924 2,851,801Jennings Sept. 16, 1958

1. A DISPENSER FOR A ROLL OF TAPE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A TRANSPARENTSIDEWALL HAVING A CIRCULAR OPENING THEREIN, A CYLINDRICAL HUB ELEMENTPROJECTING FROM THE EDGE OF SAID OPENING AND INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAIDSIDEWALL, INTEGRAL EDGE WALLS PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE EDGES OFSAID SIDEWALL AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO AND IN THE DIRECTION OF PROJECTIONOF SAID CYLINDRICAL HUB ELEMENT, SAID HUB ELEMENT BEING ADAPTED TORECEIVE SAID ROLL OF TAPE, AN OPENING IN ONE OF SAID EDGE WALLS TOPERMIT THE TAPE TO PASS THERETHROUGH, AN OPAQUE BACKING PLATE POSITIONEDIN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO SAID TRANSPARENT SIDEWALL AT THE ENDS OFSAID EDGE WALLS OPPOSITE SAID TRANSPARENT SIDEWALL, A CIRCULAR OPENINGIN THE BACKING PLATE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID HUB ELEMENT, A CYLINDRICALELEMENT HAVING A FLANGE ON ONE EDGE THEREOF, THE LAST-MENTIONEDCYLINDRICAL ELEMENT BEING PASSED THROUGH THE CIRCULAR OPENING IN THEBACKING PLATE AND PRESS-FITTED INTO SAID CYLINDRICAL HUB ELEMENT WITHTHE FLANGE HOLDING THE BACKING PLATE IN SNUG ABUTTING RELATIONSHIPAGAINST SAID ENDS OF THE EDGE WALLS, AND PRINTED MATERIAL ON THE BACKINGPLATE FACING SAID ROLL OF TAPE WHEREBY BOTH THE PRINTED MATERIAL AND THEROLL OF TAPE MAY BE SEEN THROUGH SAID TRANSPARENT SIDEWALL.